The Interior Ministry has confirmed receipt of an official request from Cambodian radio host and long-time opposition activist Mam Sonando to start his own political party.

According to a letter dated Tuesday and sent by Interior Minister Sar Kheng to Sonando, the ministry acknowledged the application to create the Beehive Democratic Society Party, but noted that the party would now have to take steps to formalise its creation.

“To be valid, the Beehive Democratic Society Party has to fill the form and conditions, as stated in Chapter 5, Article 20 of the Law on Political Parties,” Sar Kheng said.

The fledgling party’s next steps include collecting 4,000 thumbprints from supporters, drafting a party platform, writing its internal regulations and issuing a party statement to clear the path to eligibility for commune and national elections, said Heang Rithy, vice president of the interim committee of the Beehive Party.

“Not only 4,000 supporters – we can find up to 50,000 backers, and we also have enough human resources,” he said yesterday. “We will be ready within seven months.”